Some Cite Conflicting Laws to Blame in IRS Scandal

The numerous conflicting laws covering the kinds of activities tax-exempt organizations may conduct may be partly to blame for the IRS’ heavy-handed treatment of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status, the Memphis Daily News reports. The IRS' attempt to enforce those contradictory laws with vague regulations has sown even more confusion, tax lawyers, former agency officials and others agree. "It's hard for groups to understand what the standards are, and different lawyers have different definitions of where to draw the line," said Abby Levine, who dispenses advice on nonprofit status to scores of groups as legal director of the liberal Alliance for Justice.